A new report from the Arkansas Department of Health this week shows there were 4,273 abortions performed in the state in 2014.
The number of abortions increased in 2014 over 2013 by about 541 abortions. However, much of that increase was the result of women in neighboring states like Tennessee and Mississippi obtaining abortions in Arkansas.
Overall, 2014 was the fourth-lowest year for abortion in Arkansas since 1978.
Ten Lowest Years for Abortion in Arkansas Since 1978 |
|
| Year | Number of Abortions |
| 2013 | 3,732 |
| 2012 | 3,782 |
| 2011 | 4,033 |
| 2014 | 4,273 |
| 2010 | 4,532 |
| 2009 | 4,580 |
| 2004 | 4,644 |
| 2005 | 4,695 |
| 2008 | 4,789 |
| 2007 | 4,844 |
Abortion in Arkansas has been on a downward trend since the early 1990’s.
Since 2000, most abortions in Arkansas have been performed on women ages 20 – 29.
| Year | <15 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-54 |
| 2000 | 56 | 1102 | 1905 | 1239 | 640 | 390 | 117 |
| 2001 | 54 | 1130 | 2046 | 1301 | 781 | 440 | 147 |
| 2002 | 54 | 952 | 1833 | 1244 | 681 | 388 | 136 |
| 2003 | 52 | 963 | 1837 | 1269 | 718 | 377 | 183 |
| 2004 | 49 | 835 | 1461 | 1084 | 667 | 393 | 151 |
| 2006 | 46 | 910 | 1592 | 1182 | 665 | 442 | 148 |
| 2007 | 39 | 831 | 1569 | 1128 | 669 | 456 | 150 |
| 2008 | 48 | 818 | 1532 | 1137 | 704 | 398 | 145 |
| 2009 | 35 | 739 | 1495 | 1148 | 642 | 395 | 119 |
| 2010 | 28 | 722 | 1455 | 1083 | 717 | 392 | 131 |
| 2011 | 32 | 583 | 1337 | 1003 | 625 | 331 | 121 |
| 2012 | 20 | 515 | 1281 | 878 | 634 | 326 | 128 |
| 2013 | 14 | 437 | 1194 | 980 | 641 | 329 | 137 |
| 2014 | 13 | 473 | 1371 | 1155 | 729 | 373 | 158 |
| Total | 540 | 11010 | 21908 | 15831 | 9513 | 5430 | 1971 |
